The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Laith Marjan, a kicker from Kansas, as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. Marjan brings strong leg strength and solid college production to the team. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he stands out with his uncommon size for the position.
Laith Marjan, a right-footed kicker whose first name means “Lion” in Arabic, joined the Steelers after playing his final college season at Kansas in 2025. He transferred there from East Carolina and South Alabama, starting as a two-year senior with career stats of 30-of-34 field goals (88.2 percent) and 82-of-84 extra points (97.6 percent). His longest field goal reached 55 yards against Texas Tech, with broadcasters noting 65-yarders in practice, according to a scouting report from Steelers Depot published May 3, 2026. Marjan was a 2024 and 2025 semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award and a 2025 nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy as the top former walk-on. A two-star recruit from Raleigh, North Carolina, he walked on at East Carolina after choosing football over soccer, where he was cut from his high school team. His mother, an ophthalmology writer with a background in head trauma research, allowed him to play only as a kicker. Marjan's strengths include good leg strength for 50-plus yard kicks with plenty of arc, statistical accuracy, kickoff specialist experience, and composure on poor snaps. He played through a lower body injury in 2025, earning praise from his coach as a “gutty” performance. However, concerns linger over a late-season slump, missing three of his final five attempts—all makeable, with kicks on the right hash staying right and one falling short from 41 yards. His follow-through appears choppy, and he lacks experience in cold weather, relevant for Pittsburgh winters. As a redshirt senior, Marjan must demonstrate mental toughness to avoid prolonged slumps in the NFL. While unlikely to displace incumbent Chris Boswell soon, he aims to impress in training camp and attract league-wide attention.
